IOSR Journal of Applied Chemistry (IOSR-JAC)

e-ISSN: 2278-5736.Volume 7, Issue 7 Ver. I. (July. 2014), PP 34-41

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Determination of selected micro and macronutrients in sugarcane

growing soils at Kakamega North District, Kenya
Preston Akenga 1, Ali Salim 1*, Anam Onditi 1, Amir Yusuf 2,
Walyambillah Waudo1
1Department of Chemistry, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), P. O Box 62000
– 0200 CITY SQUARE, Nairobi, Kenya
2
Department of Chemistry, University of Nairobi, P.O Box 30197 – 00100 Nairobi, Kenya

Abstract: Kakamega North district is situated in Kakamega County in the western region of the Republic of
Kenya. It is a major sugarcane producing area. The soils in the area were analyzed for selected macro and
micronutrients. Macronutrients analyzed included potassium, sodium, calcium, phosphates and nitrates while
the micronutrients analyzed were copper, iron and zinc. The techniques employed were Flame Atomic
Absorption Spectrometry, Flame Emission Spectrometry and UV/Visible Spectrophotometry. The soil pH
measurement was also taken. The average levels obtained in mg/kg for potassium, sodium, calcium, nitrates and
phosphates were 110, 240.8, 540, 71 and 100 respectively. Recommended nutrient range levels in mg/kg as per
Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI) are: potassium 1 -100 mg/kg, sodium 20-300mg/kg, calcium 2-
400mg/kg, nitrates above 42 mg/kg and finally for phosphates 2000-5000mg/kg. The results indicate generally
that macronutrient levels of phosphates and nitrates were low and below the required minimum required levels
for normal plant. Micronutrients were within the limits for normal plant growth. The average soil pH was 5.48
which is acidic and within the limits for normal plant growth.
Keywords: Soil, macronutrients, micronutrients, fertility, sugarcane

I. Introduction
Kakamega North District in Western Province is about 30 km from the western capital Kakamega
town. This is a sugarcane growing region which is mostly done by small scale farmers. The crop was introduced
in the region by the colonialists in the 1940’s. The sugar sub-sector plays an important role in the Kenya’s
economy. The sub-sector generates an estimated 12 billion Kenya Shillings annually, providing approximately
500,000 jobs. It also supports livelihood of about six million people.
There are currently, about 163,000 farmers involved in cane production. It is a foreign exchange earner
and if produced sufficiently can save on import expenditure1. Presently the crop yield has been decreasing
despite improvement on cane varieties. This could partially be attributed to declining soil fertility, ineffective
weed control strategies, intermittent moisture stress and continuous sugarcane monoculture. It is with this
background in mind that the study was under taken. In general, most plants grow by absorbing nutrients from
the soil. Their ability to do this depends on the nature of the soil. The makeup of a soil (soil texture) and its pH
determine the extent to which nutrients are available to plants. Soil properties that are important to the growth of
plants include soil fertility and soil stability. Soil fertility is the amount of plant nutrients available in soil while
soil stability is the ability of soil to resist erosion mostly determined by soil texture, structure consistency and
hardness of layers2.
Mineral nutrients are divided into two types: macronutrients and micronutrients. Macronutrients are
further divided into primary and secondary. Primary nutrients are used in large quantities by plants and they
include nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Secondary nutrients include calcium, magnesium and sulfur.
Micronutrients are needed in very small amounts and they include boron, copper, iron, manganese and zinc 3.
Having the right amount of nutrients is essential for normal plant growth and reproduction. As nutrient ions are
removed from soil solution by plant absorption they are replenished from several sources. Seldom is the rate of
renewal for all essential elements from untreated soil fast enough to achieve maximum crop production. To
augment this removal fertilizers are usually applied 4. Soil pH is one of the most important soil properties that
affect the availability of nutrients and hence it was also measured. In general macronutrients tend to be less
available in soils with low pH while micronutrients tend to be less available in soils with high pH5.
In this study, seven nutrients were analyzed. The four macronutrients analyzed include potassium,
calcium nitrates and phosphates and three micronutrients zinc, iron and copper.

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 Determination of selected micro and macronutrients in sugarcane growing soils at Kakamega North

II. Role Of Nutrients To Plants

Macronutrients
Potassium has a number of structural functions in plants and animals. It keeps the cell cytoplasm levels
relatively constant, assists in protein synthesis and energy metabolism.
Potassium is absorbed by plants in larger amounts than any other mineral element except
nitrogen and in some cases calcium.
Calcium which is an essential part of plant cell wall structure, provides for normal transport and
retention of other elements as well as the strength in the plant. It also counteracts the effects of alkali salts and
organic acids within a plant6.
Phosphorous occurs in soil almost entirely as phosphates (PO-34) and resembles nitrogen in that both
inorganic and organic forms are of major significance in agricultural soil. Agricultural soils usually cannot meet
demand for phosphate and application of fertilizer is essential. Phosphorus is an essential part of the process of
photosynthesis. It is involved in the formation of all oils, sugars and starches. It helps with the transformation of
solar energy into chemical energy; proper plant maturation; withstanding stress, affects rapid growth and
encourages blooming and root growth 2.
Nitrogen in the inorganic form of (NO-3) is important because it is the one utilized by plants. Crop
demand for this nutrient is high thus the need to apply fertilizer. Nitrogen is a part of all living cells and is a
necessary part of all proteins, enzymes and metabolic processes involved in the synthesis and transfer of energy.
Nitrogen is a part of chlorophyll, the green pigment of the plant that is responsible for photosynthesis. It assists
plants with rapid growth, increasing seed and fruit production and improving the quality of leaf and forage
crops6.
Macronutrients are essential to plant growth but utilized in trace quantities. Their major role is as
activators in numerous enzyme systems. Micronutrients are toxic when they are in very high levels thus they
become a threat to human and animals life and cause stunted growth and poor yield in plants3 .
Copper is an essential micronutrient for plants and animals. It is involved in many enzyme systems of
plants and animals. Iron is an essential minor nutrient for plants and animals. It is involved in chlorophyll
synthesis in chloroplast. Zinc is essential for the transformation of carbohydrates. It regulates consumption of
sugars. It is part of the enzyme systems which regulate plant growth 6.

III. Methodology
Equipment and Instruments
UV/VIS Spectrophotometer- Pharmacia Biotech (NOVASPEC 11), Atomic Absorption Spectrometer-
Buck 210 VGP, Flame photometer- Giba Corning Flame Analyser 04, pH meter- Hannah instruments 211,
Shaker- Taiyo Reciproshaker SR-1, Conical flasks,Volumetric flask, Glass cylinders.

Sampling
Variation in slope, soil color, soil texture, crop growth and management was taken into account and
separate sets of composite samples were collected from each location at different farms. Since sugarcane is a
deep rooted crop, soil samples were collected at a depth of 20 -25 cm.

Sampling Procedure
During sample collection, dead furrow, old manure, wet spots, areas under or near trees were avoided.
Surface litter was scrapped off often using a spade and a hoe, a V- shaped hole of between 20-25 cm deep dug
and a 1.5 cm thick soil from top to bottom of the hole collected and placed in a clean bucket. Ten samples of this
kind were collected randomly in a single location. The composite samples from the ten spots in each location
were thoroughly mixed in a bucket.

Reduction of sample bulk

This was done by quartering the soil sample collected to about 500 g. Quartering was done by dividing
the mixed soil in four equal parts then discarding two parts. The two quarters were remixed and again divided
into four parts discarding two then process was repeated until the required small amount was obtained. Stones,
large roots and other coarse fragments were removed by passing the dry material through a 2 mm sieve. The soil
was lightly crushed in between sheets of polythene7.

Drying
Drying was done under moderate temperatures under shade where air circulation was possible.

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 Determination of selected micro and macronutrients in sugarcane growing soils at Kakamega North

Sample Storage and Transportation

The soil samples were placed in paper bags, labeled A, B, C, D and E and had a slip out containing the
following information: name of the location from which the sample was collected; depth of sampling, number of
samples mixed to get representative sample, soil type ( coarse or heavy), crop growth (good/ poor/ average). The
sampling record also included human influence such as grazing, fertilizer applied, and vegetation burning7.

Analysis of soil samples

Preparation of soil samples for potassium, sodium and calcium analysis

Reagents:
Extracting Solution: 0.7 ml of concentrated H2SO4 was mixed with 8.6 ml of HCl then 800 ml of
distilled water added in 1000 mL volumetric flask. The solution was topped up to the mark with distilled water.
10 g of the soil sample was placed in plastic bottles and 50 ml of the extracting solution added then taken to a
reciprocating shaker where it was shaken for one hour. The solution was filtered by Whatman No. 42 filter
paper and the filtrate stored.

IV. Determination Of Macronutrients

Determination of Potassium
Stock solution of potassium standard (1000 mg/l) was prepared by dissolving 1.9068 g of dry KCl in
distilled water and volume made up to 1000ml. The stock solution was diluted to produce working standards of
concentration range 1 –100 mg/l. Each working standard was run in the emission spectrometer and the intensity
for each standard was recorded. The calibration curve was constructed to determine the concentration of
potassium in the soil sample. The blanks were also determined in the same way and subtraction done where
necessary.
Calculations: K, Na, Ca (mg/Kg) = (a - b) × V × f × 1000
1000 × w
Where: a = concentration of K, Ca, Na in the sample extract
b = concentration of element in the blank extract
P Akeng’a et al

v = volume of the extract solution

w= weight of the soil sample
f = dilution factor

Determination of Calcium
Stock solution of calcium standard (1000 mg/l) was prepared by dissolving 2.4973 g of dry CaCO 3 in
200 ml of distilled water containing 5ml of concentrated HCl. The solution was heated to drive out CO 2 and
after cooling it was made up to 1000ml. The stock was diluted to produce working standards of concentration
range of 1-100 mg/l.
The AAS was set at the operating wavelength of calcium. The standards and sample were aspirated into
the flame as was with potassium and from the calibration curve constructed the concentration of calcium was
obtained.

Determination of Sodium
Stock solution of sodium standard (100 mg/l) was prepared by dissolving 0.2542 g of dry NaCl in
distilled water and was made up to 1000ml. The stock solution was diluted to obtain produce working standards
of concentration range of 1 – 100 mg/l.
The standards and sample solution were aspirated into the flame after selecting the operating
wavelength of sodium. From the constructed calibration curve the concentration of sodium was determined.

V. Determination of Phosphates
Reagents
Molybdate-Vanadate solution: 25 g ammonium paramolybdate was dissolved in 500 ml of distilled
water. 1.25 g of ammonium vanadate was dissolved in 500 ml of 1M nitric acid. Equal volumes of this were
mixed thoroughly.
Extracting solution: 0.7 ml of concentrated H2SO4 and 8.6 ml of HCl were mixed with 800 ml distilled
water, in a 1000ml volumetric flask and made to mark then mixed thoroughly.

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 Determination of selected micro and macronutrients in sugarcane growing soils at Kakamega North

Stock solution: 1000 mg/l of phosphate standard was prepared by dissolving 2.198g of potassium
dihydrogen phosphate in 250 ml of extracting solution in 500ml volumetric flask then was topped to mark with
the extracting solution.
Working solution (100 mg/l): 50 ml of 1000 µg/ml stock solution was measured in a 500 ml volumetric
flask then made the volume with the extracting solution
Standards: 0, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70 and 80 ml of working solution was measured, put into 100 ml
volumetric flask then, topped with distilled water.

Methods
10g of dry soil was weighed into clean 100 ml plastic bottles. 50 ml of extracting solution was added
then shaken for 60 minutes. The samples were filtered through a whatman No. 42 to get the filtrate. The blank
was included. 4 ml of extract and blank was measured into a boiling tube, 1ml-distilled water and 1ml of
molybdate - vanadate added. Mixture was allowed to stand for 20 minutes then was analyzed using UV/Visible
spectrophotometer at the operating wavelength of phosphates8.

Determination of Nitrates
Nitrate was extracted in 0.5M K2SO4 solution. Using 4M sodium hydroxide and 5% salicylic acid, the
yellow color was developed and analysis done on UV-VIS spectrophotometer at operating wavelength of
nitrates8.

Reagents
Sodium hydroxide 4M: 80 g of NaOH pellets were dissolved 500 ml of distilled water
Salicylic acid, 5%: 2.5 g of salicylic acid was dissolved in 47.5 ml of sulphuric acid. This solution was
made one day before use.
Extracting solution: 50 g of K2SO4 was weighed and dissolved in 500 ml distilled water
Nitrates stock solution (100 mg/l): 0.7221 g of KNO3 was diluted in 100 ml of distilled water. Working
solution (10 mg/l): 10 ml of 100 mg/l will be diluted with water 100 ml volumetric flasks.
Standards: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 ml of 10 mg/l working solution were measured into 50 ml volumetric flasks.
These contain 0, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 mg/l. This was filled to the mark with 0.5M K2SO48.

Method
5 g of oven dried soil was weighed into a clean 100 ml plastic bottle. 50 ml of 0.5M K 2SO4 extracting
solution was added and shaken for 1 hour. The mixture was filtered through whatman filter paper. 0.5 ml of the
sample extract, blanks and the standard series K2SO4 was transferred into marked test tubes. 10 ml of salicylic
acid was added to each test tube and mixed well then stood for 30 minutes. 10 ml of 4M sodium hydroxide was
added, mixed well then left for 1 hour for the yellow color to develop 8.

VI. Determination Of Micronutrients

Preparation of Samples for Zinc, copper, iron and lead analysis
A stock solution of Zn (100 mg/l) standard was prepared by dissolving 0.4398 g of ZnSO4.7H2O in
distilled water and diluted to 1000ml. The stock was diluted to obtain working standards of range of 0 – 5 mg/l.
The sample solution and standards were aspirated in the flame. The calibration curve was used to determine the
concentration in ppm of zinc.
Calculations: Cu, Fe, Pb, Zn (mg/Kg) = (a - b) × V × f × 1000
1000 × w
Where: a = concentration of Cu, Fe, Pb, Zn in the sample extract
b = concentration of element in the blank extract
v = volume of the extract solution
w = weight of the soil sample
f = dilution factor

Determination of Copper
A stock solution of Cu standard (100 mg/l) was prepared by dissolving 0.3930 g of CuSO4.5H2O in
distilled water then diluted to 1000ml. An intermediate of 10 mg/l was prepared then diluted further to produce a
working range of 0 -5.0 mg/l. The AAS was set at the operating wavelength of copper and the sample solution
and standards aspirated in the flame. From the calibration graph constructed the concentration of the sample
were obtained.

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 Determination of selected micro and macronutrients in sugarcane growing soils at Kakamega North

Determination of Iron
A stock solution of Fe standard (100 mg/l) was prepared by dissolving 0.1 g of clean untarnished iron
in 10 ml of warm 10% H2SO4. After cooling it was diluted to 1000ml
The stock solution was diluted to obtain a working range of 0 - 20 mg/l. The AAS was set at the
operating wavelength of iron. From the calibration graph constructed the concentration of the sample was
obtain.

Determination of soil pH
10g of the soil sample was placed in long beakers and 20 ml of de-ionized distilled water added. The
suspension was stirred for 30 minutes and left to stand for 1 hour. The pH meter was calibrated by buffers of pH
4 and pH 7. The pH was measured by carefully immersing the combined electrode into the clear supernatant
solution8.

VII. Results And Discussion

The following calibration curves were obtained after the analysis of the nutrients.

Fig 1: Calibration curve for iron standards

Fig 2: Calibration curve for potassium standards

Fig 3: Calibration curve for calcium standard

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 Determination of selected micro and macronutrients in sugarcane growing soils at Kakamega North

Fig 4: Calibration curve for nitrate standards

Fig 5: Calibration curve for copper standards

VIII. Discussion
All the measurements were further expressed in mg/kg using the equation below
Calculations: K, Na, PO43-, Cu, Fe, Zn (mg/Kg) = (a - b) × V × f × 1000
1000 × w

Where: a = concentration of Cu, Fe, Pb, Zn in the sample extract

b = concentration of element in the blank extract
v = volume of the extract solution
w = weight of the soil sample
f = dilution factor

Tables 1 and 2 indicate the results obtained from the farms in mg/kg (n=3)

Sample K Na Ca NO3 PO43

A 98±0.241 194±0.789 755±2.36 39±0.588 105±1.29
B 39±1.45 99±1.87 374±0.456 104±3.69 93±3.25

C 163±0.36 353±2.14 235±1.23 88±2.35 99±2.64

D 114±3.65 305±1.69 448±0.895 96±0.145 93±0.632
E 140±1.47 253±0.987 891±1.49 30±1.11 111±2.88
Table 1: Macronutrients in mg/kg

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Determination of selected micro and macronutrients in sugarcane growing soils at Kakamega North

Sample Zn Cu Fe
A 20±1.23 3±0.041 189±3.69
B 3±0.036 0.435±0.025 144±0.756
C 8±0.014 11±0.021 380±2.97
D 24±0.561 1±0.032 636±1.25
E 6 ±0.078 2±0.056 381±1.99
Table 2: Micronutrients in mg/kg

Table 3 below gives the pH measurements obtained from the soil samples.
Sample A B C D E
pH 5.45 5.49 5.46 5.52 5.52
Table 3: pH Readings

Chart 1 and 2 below represent graphically the amount of nutrients in each sample

Chart: 1 Macronutrient in mg/kg

Chart 2: Micronutrients in mg/kg

Chart 3: pH levels

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 Determination of selected micro and macronutrients in sugarcane growing soils at Kakamega North

Table 4 indicates recommended macronutrient levels in mg/kg as per Kenya Agricultural Research Institute
(KARI).
Table 4: Recommended macronutrient levels in mg/kg
PO43- NO3- K Na Ca

2000-5000 >100 1-100 20-250 2-400

Table 5 gives a summary indicating the macronutrients contained in each sample whether above, below or
within the appropriate levels.

Table 5: Summary of macronutrients in each sample

NUTRIENT SAMPLE SAMPLE SAMPLE
BELOW WITHIN ABOVE
PO43- ALL - -
NO3- ALL - -
K - A,B C,D & E
Na - A, B & E C &D
Ca B&C A, D & E

From Table 5, it is evident that phosphates and nitrates which are very important nutrients are low and
below the recommended levels. These two nutrients are primary macronutrients and their availability is
paramount for proper crop development. This may be attributed to the failure of application of fertilizer on a
regular basis. Potassium, sodium and calcium were available in all samples and some samples surpassed the
required levels. Calcium was the most abundant macronutrient in all the farms with exception of farm C which
had sodium as the most abundant. Farm B had relatively lower levels of macronutrients compared to the other
farms as shown in Chart 1. The level of macronutrients as observed in Chart 1 from the most abundant to the
least abundant was Ca > Na> K>PO43- >NO-3.
Micronutrients are trace elements and are utilized in smaller quantities than macronutrients. This is
evidenced with the lower concentration values obtained from all the samples as shown in Table 2 compared to
the high levels of the macronutrients in Table 1.
Iron was the most abundant of all the micronutrients while copper was the least as shown in Chart 2.
Zinc which is involved in enzyme activation had its highest concentration in sample D. For iron, sample A and
B were within the recommended levels, samples C, D and E were slightly above the standards. The
concentration trend of micronutrients from the most abundant to the least was Fe > Zn > Cu
Recommended pH levels for normal plant growth lie within 5.3 - 6.8 units. All the soil samples were
acidic and within the recommended range. The highest pH was with sample D and E at 5.59 while the lowest
was sample A with 5.45 as shown in chart 3. Since the pH was below 7 this indicated the soils were slightly
acidic.

IX. Conclusion
From the findings of this study it is evident that the levels of phosphates and nitrates were below the
required KARI standards. Concentrations of the all the micronutrients under study were within the required
levels for normal plant growth. This shows that low phosphate and nitrate content in the soils is a contributor to
the low sugarcane yields experienced in the area.

Acknowledgements

References
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1983, pp23
[6]. S. E. Allen, Chemical Analysis of Ecological Material, Blackwell Scientific Publication. Second Edition, 1999, pp 119-155
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[8]. Economic Survey 2001, Kenya National Bureau of Statistics
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